Transport UAS/UAV/Drone
The purpose of this project is to look into the feasibility of creating a proof of concept electric powered UAV that is autonomous, can carry varied payloads (fixed camera, camera on a gimbal, carry case to transport goods, etc.), has a flight time of 60+ minutes, and most important, radical in design! Must have at least 4 engines. Not looking for a COTS solution or similar. I would like to have the UAS to be modular for various mission capabilities. Mission (Crime Prevention, Fire Management, Emergency Response, Intelligence, Fire Investigation & Damage Assessment, Accident Reconstruction, Search and Rescue, Forensics, Event & VIP Security, Tactical situational awareness & targeting, Perimeter & convoy security, Covert Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Anti-piracy, tactical ship boarding, De-mining, Emergency & disaster response HAZMAT/CBRNE management, etc.) payload(s) and flight characteristics might include:
• Surveillance with Gimbal, or Gimbals to allow for 360 degree view
o FLIR, HD RGB (or HDMI if possible), NIR, NDVI, LWIR, Lidar
• Area Mapping for mitigation, disaster recovery, assessments, inspections, etc.
• High Speed with Heavy Lift capability for emergency medical devices/medications.
o This is for cargo, with an understanding that a balance will need to be struck to determine maximum flight time.
• Tether Mode (for training and long term situational awareness).
o The possibility of powering unit and payload feed via tether.
• Modular, hot-swappable, payload chamber(s) for Sensor Arrays for various scenarios that might include:
o Collision Avoidance
o Acoustic Detection and Location (Military, Public Services)
o Electrochemical and Infrared Imaging Gas & Liquid Detectors (Environmental Air Sensing, Gas and Liquid Leak Detection, CBRNE)
o Field Communications (Military)
o Radiation Detection (CBRNE)
o Ability to drop payloads such as:
• Surface Vehicles (Rover, Boat, etc.)
• Infrared Beacons
• EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
• Sea Dye Markers
• Stable in high wind (65+ km/h) environments
o Preferably dust and water resistant
• Sealed electronics area and designed for all weather flights
o With regards to the Gimbal:
• Dependable operation in wet, sandy, or humid environments, extreme temperatures, and in sustained winds of up to 50 km/h
• Important: This UAS will NOT be weaponized
Must be able to transition from Hover to Forward flight while conserving power: - Fixed Wing Flight; or where the Rotor Wing is locked to operate as a fixed wing - Rotary Wing Flight; as a quad copter with sustained hover capability - Conventional Takeoff & Landing - Short Take Off & Landing - Vertical Take Off & Landing - Reversible In-Flight Transition - Reversible On-Ground Transition. In addition, once the transition to forward flight is engaged, I'd like for the engine(s) to be a silent as possible.
No parachute or net for recovery, and no launcher to get it airborne. While I'm not looking for a COTS UAV, I would like for it to use COTS Hardware and Software for the build.
Rugged, reliable and capable - dependable in extreme environments
• Up to 50-minutes endurance with payload, continuous operation model
• High wind tolerance
o 40 mph (65 km/h) sustained,
o 55 mph (90 km/h) gusts
Pre-assembled backpack deployment – airborne in minutes
• Folding design protects payload & includes battery for powered standby
• Payload, battery, arms, and legs are easily replaced in the field without tools
Environmental Temperature Range:
• -22F to –122F (-30C to 50C)
Navigation LED’s
• Red/Green
• Red/NIR
Modular chassis and modular electronics for easy access/replacement
Must weigh less than 55 lbs./24kg
With regards to dimensions, I think it will depend on how much of these requirements can be satisfied. Mobility is important so, the dimensions should allow for the UAS to fit into a case or similar.
The attached images are for reference only. These show VTOL aircraft capable of transitional forward flight. In addition here is a link to a real example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUNJTAybCQQ
auto-tuning radio
I have a provisional patent and am looking for help to make a prototype. The device should have two digital tuners controlled by a computer, each capable of receiving digital radio signal and digital ID co-broadcasted by radio stations. The computer uses one tuner to scan radio frequencies and sorts available radio signals based on station name, program genre, and music group. This device should be able to find a radio station based on station name rather than by frequency. Some national radio stations such as Public Radio broadcast on multiple frequencies on overlapping terrains. In a moving vehicle, when the signal deteriorates on one frequency, this device should be able to use the second tuner to scan for better signal and achieve seamless transition from one frequency to another without interrupting the program by switching the roles of the two tuners.
Dragos Popovici
Designer